Needle guides for a sonographic imaging device

ABSTRACT

Needle guide systems for a sonography device are disclosed. The needle guide systems include both fixed and adjustable needle guides. In one embodiment, the needle guide includes a needle guide body that is rotatably mounted to a probe of a sonography device. A plurality of needle channels is disposed on a surface of the needle guide body. Each needle channel can be selectively rotated into position to guide a needle into a body of a patient at a predetermined needle insertion angle. If another needle insertion angle is desired, the needle guide is rotated to place a new needle channel defining the desired needle insertion angle into position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/138,606, filed Dec. 18, 2008, and entitled “NeedleGuides for a Sonographic Imaging Device,” which is incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Briefly summarized, embodiments of the present invention are directed toneedle guide systems for a sonography device. The needle guide systemsinclude both fixed and adjustable needle guides for use with a probe ofthe sonography device.

In one embodiment, the needle guide includes a needle guide body that isrotatably mounted to a sonography device probe. A plurality of needlechannels is disposed on a surface of the needle guide body. Each needlechannel can be selectively rotated into position to guide a needle intoa body of a patient at a predetermined needle insertion angle. Ifanother needle insertion angle is desired, the needle guide is rotatedto place a new needle channel defining the desired needle insertionangle into position. The needle guide can be permanently or removablyattached to the probe.

These and other features of embodiments of the present invention willbecome more fully apparent from the following description and appendedclaims, or may be learned by the practice of embodiments of theinvention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more particular description of the present disclosure will be renderedby reference to specific embodiments thereof that are illustrated in theappended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict onlytypical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to beconsidered limiting of its scope. Example embodiments of the inventionwill be described and explained with additional specificity and detailthrough the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is simplified perspective view of a sonographic imaging systemthat serves as an example environment in which embodiments of thepresent invention can be practiced;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a handheld probe of the system of FIG.1;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are various views of a portion of a needle guide systemincluded on a handheld probe according to one example embodiment,included on the probe of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4A-4D are various views of a needle guide for use with thehandheld probe shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 4E is a perspective view of the needle guide of FIGS. 4A-4Dattached to the probe of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 5A-6E are various views of an adjustable needle guide systemaccording to one embodiment;

FIGS. 7A-8F are various views of an adjustable needle guide systemaccording to another embodiment;

FIGS. 9A-10F are various views of an adjustable needle guide systemaccording to yet another embodiment;

FIGS. 11A-11D show additional details of a needle guide system accordingto one embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a top view of an adjustable needle guide system according toone another embodiment; and

FIG. 13 is a top view of an adjustable needle guide system according toyet another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SELECTED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made to figures wherein like structures will beprovided with like reference designations. It is understood that thedrawings are diagrammatic and schematic representations of exemplaryembodiments of the present invention, and are neither limiting nornecessarily drawn to scale.

For clarity it is to be understood that the word “proximal” refers to adirection relatively closer to a clinician using the device to bedescribed herein, while the word “distal” refers to a directionrelatively further from the clinician. For example, the end of a needleor catheter placed within the body of a patient is considered a distalend of the needle or catheter, while the needle or catheter endremaining outside the body is a proximal end of the needle or catheter.Also, the words “including,” “has,” and “having,” as used herein,including the claims, shall have the same meaning as the word“comprising.”

FIGS. 1-11D depict various features of embodiments of the presentinvention, which are generally directed to needle guide systems for usewith a sonographic imaging device in assisting the percutaneousinsertion of a needle or other medical device into a body portion, suchas a vasculature of a patient, for instance.

Reference is first made to FIG. 1 in describing a sonographic imagingsystem (“system”), generally described at 10, for ultrasonically imagingportions of a patient body. The system 10 includes a console 12including a display 14 and one or more user input controls 16. In oneembodiment, the system 10 also includes a probe 18 including one or moreuser controls in the form of control buttons 20. Briefly, the probe 18is configured to transmit ultrasonic signals from a head portion 18Athereof into a portion of a patient body and to receive the ultrasonicsignals after reflection by internal structures of the patient body. Thesystem 10 processes the reflected ultrasonic signals for depiction onthe display 14.

The user input controls 16 of the console 12 may include, for example,image gain controls to adjust the amplification of a received ultrasonicsignal, image depth controls to image structures at different depths andadjust the focus of an ultrasonic image displayed on the display 14,depth marker controls to selectively display depth markers and/or gridlines, print and/or save controls to print/save an image currentlydisplayed on the display, image freeze controls to pause an imagecurrently displayed on the display, time/date set controls, and othercontrols for operating the system 10. Corresponding controls, or asubset thereof, are also included in the control buttons 20 on the probe18. In addition, in other embodiments the functionality of the userinput controls 16 can be provided by a keyboard, mouse, or othersuitable input device.

FIG. 2 shows the probe 18 of FIG. 1, including two needle guideconnectors 30 that are included as part of a needle guide mountingsystem configured in accordance with one example embodiment. The needleguide connectors 30 are included on front and side portions of the probe18 but are identically configured in the present embodiment. As such,the details of only one of the connectors will be described in detailhere. It should be appreciated that in other embodiments the needleguide connectors may differ in size, configuration, the number includedon the probe, etc. In addition, the design and configuration of theprobe is merely one example of an ultrasonic probe that can benefit fromthe principles described herein.

FIGS. 3A and 3B give further details of the needle guide connectors 30according to one embodiment. Each connector 30 includes an elongatefirst mounting surface 32, extending from the surface of the probe headportion 18A, which is configured to receive a needle guide thereon, aswill be described. An overhang 34 is defined at an end of the mountingsurface 32 for assistance in maintaining engagement of the needle guidewith the connector 30. A second mounting surface 36 is also included onthe each connector 30, which surface defines two stability extensions36A, 36B. In the present embodiment, the stability extensions 36A, 36Bare integrally formed with the first mounting surface 32 and extendalong an axis in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to alongitudinal axis of the first mounting surface. So configured, thesecond mounting surface 36, as defined by the stability extensions 36Aand 36B, also extends substantially orthogonal to the first mountingsurface 32, though in other embodiments the two mounting surfaces can bealigned at other angles with respect to one another. Note that the size,number, and orientation of the second mounting surface and itsrespective stability extensions with respect to the first mountingsurface can vary from what is explicitly described herein.

One or more depressions 40 are defined on side surfaces of the firstmounting surface 32 for engagement with corresponding protrusionsdefined on the needle guide, as will be described. Of course, otherconfigurations for maintaining engagement between the needle guide andthe mounting surfaces of the needle guide connector 30 can also beemployed.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 4A-4D, which depict various details of aneedle guide, generally designated at 50, in accordance with one exampleembodiment. As shown, the needle guide 50 includes a top surface 52 onwhich a needle channel 54, defined by two lips 55, is defined forguiding a needle to a body portion imaged by the system 10 viapercutaneous insertion. The top surface 52, and therefore the needlechannel 54, is angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of the probe18 so as to enable the needle to intercept the targeted body portion ata depth as determined by the ultrasonic imaging performed by the system10. The needle insertion angle defined by the needle channel 54 can varyaccording to the configuration of the needle guide. Thus, selection ofan appropriately angled needle guide is determined by the depth of theintended subcutaneous target within the patient body to be intercepted.As such, the specific size and configuration details of the needle guidedescribed herein are merely examples.

The needle guide 50 defines a first cavity 56, best seen in FIG. 4D,which is shaped to receive therein the first mounting surface 32 of theconnector 30 when the needle guide is removably attached to the probe18. A smoothly shaped extended surface 58 is included at the closed endof the cavity 56 and is configured for interfacing with the smoothlyshaped overhang 34 of the first mounting surface 32 in retaining theneedle guide 50 on the connector 30 when attached thereto. The extendedsurface 58 and overhang 34 can be configured in a variety of ways so asto assist in retaining the needle guide on the connector 30.

A second cavity 60, which crosses substantially orthogonally the firstcavity 56 and includes notches 60A, 60B, is defined by the body of theneedle guide 50, as best seen in FIG. 4B. The notches 60A, 60B of thesecond cavity 60 are positioned to respectively receive therein thestability extensions 36A, 36B when the needle guide 50 is attached tothe needle guide connector 30, such as in a snap-fit configuration forinstance, as shown in FIG. 4E. So attached, the stability extensions36A, 36B of the connector 30 engage the notches 60A, 60B and thisengagement, together with the engagement of the first mounting surface32 with the needle guide cavity 56, secures the needle guide in placewith respect to the probe 18. This in turn provides a stable needleguide structure that resists undesired movement, such as the needleguide undesirably slipping off the probe in a direction parallel to alongitudinal axis of the probe 18. Thus, the needle guide remains inplace to enable a clinician to insert a needle or other medicalinstrument into the target area of the patient body via the needlechannel 54 while the target area is imaged by the sonography system 10.It is appreciated that the angle of intersection between the firstcavity 56 and the second cavity 60 of the needle guide 50 should beconfigured to match the angle of intersection between the first mountingsurface 32 and the second mounting surface 36 of the needle guideconnector 30 of the probe 18 in all cases, regardless of whether theangle of intersection is orthogonal.

The needle guide 50 further includes protrusions 70 in the first cavity56 that are sized and positioned to engage with the depressions 40(FIGS. 3A, 3B) of the needle guide connector 30 when the needle guide isattached to the needle guide connector 30. Note that the size, shape,number, and other configuration details of the needle guide cavities canvary from what is described herein while still residing within the scopeof present embodiments. For instance, the shape defined by the notches60A, 60B, can be triangular, rounded, etc., instead of the squareconfiguration shown here.

The needle channel 54 of FIGS. 4A-4E is shown to be sized for an 18Gauge needle. In other embodiments, however, the needle channel can besized to accommodate needles of other sizes and configurations. Also,the needle guide can be configured in one embodiment to accept devicesother than needles, such as trocars or catheters for instance. Asmentioned above, the needle guide top surface can be configured suchthat the needle channel defines an angle with a longitudinal axis of theprobe 18 different from what is shown in FIGS. 4A-4E. As such, multipleneedle guides, each having a needle channel defining a unique angle withthe longitudinal axis of the probe 18, can be constructed as to beselectively attachable to/removable from the probe needle guideconnector 30 of the probe 18, enabling a plurality of needle insertionangles to be achieved with the system 10.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 5A-6E in describing a needle guide systemaccording to another embodiment. FIGS. 5A and 5B show the probe 18including a mounting component, such as a mounting ball 360 (see alsomounting ball 361 in FIGS. 6B, 6D, and 6E), on the probe head portion18A for rotatably receiving a rotatable needle guide 350, shown in FIGS.6A and 6B. As shown, the needle guide 350 includes a circular body thatdefines a chamfered or slanted top surface 352. A plurality of needlechannels 354 is included on the top surface. Each needle channel 354 isdefined by two lips 355 or other suitable structure. The top surface 352is configured such that each needle channel 354 is positioned at aunique angle. For instance, FIG. 6B shows one needle channel 354 of theneedle guide 350 angled to define a deflection angle φ₁ with respect tohorizontal and another needle channel 354 angled to define a deflectionangle φ₂ with respect to horizontal, from the perspective shown in FIG.6B. As will be seen, this enables the needle guide to guide a needleinto the patient body at one of a plurality of different needleinsertion angles, measured with respect to a longitudinal axis of theprobe 18 to which the needle guide is either removably or permanentlyattached. In the illustrated embodiment, five needle channels 354 areincluded on the top surface 352 of the needle guide 350, though more orfewer than this can be included. Also, though shown distributed in astar pattern, the distribution of the needle channels on the needleguide top surface can vary from what is shown and described herein.

As mentioned, the needle guide 350 is configured to attach to a fixtureon the probe 18, such as the mounting ball 360 shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B(see also mounting ball 361 in FIGS. 6B, 6D, and 6E)or other suitablestructure, such that the needle guide 350 is rotatable with respect tothe probe. The fixture can be placed on any suitable surface of theprobe 18. One or more protrusions 362 are included on a bottom surfaceof the needle guide 350 and are each positioned so as to engage adepression 364 defined on the surface of the probe head portion 18A andthus secure the needle guide in a particular position until moved by aforce sufficient to overcome the friction engagement between thecorresponding protrusion and the depression. So configured, a clinicianmay rotate the needle guide 350, as shown in FIG. 6C, until the desiredneedle channel 354 having the desired insertion angle is aligned at ausable position 354A to enable the clinician to insert a correspondinglysized needle into the patient body via the selected needle channel tointercept an imaged target area of the patient body at a predetermineddepth. Note that the location, number, and configuration of theprotrusions and depressions can vary from what is shown and described.

FIGS. 6D and 6E show how the needle guide 350 enables needle insertionsof different angles of entry into the patient body. In FIG. 6D, one ofthe needle channels 354 is positioned for use, i.e., in the position354A (see FIG. 6C) such that it defines a needle insertion angle θ₁ withthe longitudinal axis 380 of the probe 18. In contrast, FIG. 6E showsanother needle guide channel 354 in the position 354A, which defines aneedle insertion angle θ₂ with the probe longitudinal axis 380. As canbe seen from FIGS. 6D and 6E, the needle path enabled by the needlechannel 354 of FIG. 6D penetrates more deeply relative to the needlepath enabled by the needle channel 354 of FIG. 6E. As such, the needlechannel 354 of FIG. 6D can be employed in order to enable a needle tointercept a target area of the patient body that is relatively deeper,while the needle channel shown in FIG. 6E can be employed to intercept arelatively shallower target area.

Thus, in accordance with the present embodiment, the needle guide 350can be used to direct a needle to a proper depth within the patient bodyduring use of the probe 18 and system 10. In particular, once a targetarea of the patient body has been located by the probe 18 and imaged bythe system 10, the clinician rotates the needle guide 350 until adesired one of the needle channels 354 having a desired needle insertionangle with respect to the longitudinal axis 380 of the probe 18 is inthe position 354A and ready for use. The clinician can then insert theneedle into the needle channel 354, which channel guides the needle intothe patient body at the desired needle insertion angle until the needleintercepts the target area.

Note that the shape and size of the needle guide can vary from what isdescribed here. For instance, the general shape of the needle guide canbe hexagonal, pentagonal, triangular, square, or other geometric shapein one embodiment. Also, the needle guide can be reduced in size fromwhat is shown in FIGS. 6D and 6E in order to match a configuration ofthe sonographic probe. The needle channels can each be sized toaccommodate needles of differing gauges in one embodiment.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 7A-8E in describing a needle guide systemaccording to another embodiment. In particular, FIGS. 8A-8E show aneedle guide 450, which generally includes a base 452 and a flexibleextension 460. The base 452 includes on a top surface thereof a needlechannel 454 defined by lips 455 and on a bottom surface a connector 456for attaching the needle guide 450 to the probe 18 and longitudinallyextending stability rails 458 for preventing twisting or torsion of theneedle guide during use on the probe. The flexible extension 460 is anelongate member that longitudinally extends from the base 452 andincludes a first engagement feature, such as a hook 462, at a free end460A of the extension.

As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, in the present embodiment the probe 18includes on its head portion 18A a connector 470 to which the needleguide can removably attach. The connector 470, which itself can beremovably or permanently attached to the probe 18, includes a cavity 472for receiving the connector 456 of the needle guide base 452, and asupport arm 474 proximally extending at an acute angle from the probesurface. The probe 18 further includes a receiver array 480, whichincludes a second engagement feature, configured here as a plurality ofspaced apart bars 482 with which the needle guide hook 462 can engage,as shown in FIG. 8F, for example. Specifically, FIG. 8F shows the needleguide 450 attached to the probe 18 via engagement of its connector 456with the cavity 472 of the probe connector 470. The hook 462 of theneedle guide flexible extension 460 is shown engaged with one of thehook receiving bars 482 of the receiver array 480, thus creating anattachment between the first engagement feature of the needle guide,i.e., the hook 462, and the second engagement feature of the probe,i.e., one of the bars 482.

So configured, the needle channel 454 of the needle guide is oriented todefine a needle insertion angle θ with the probe longitudinal axis 380.Note that the extension 460 is configured to be flexible enough to allowfor the bending thereof as shown in FIG. 8F. The support arm 474 in thecurrent embodiment is resilient while also providing the needed rigidityfor the needle guide base 452 so as to maintain the needle channel 454in a substantially fixed location after the angle of the needle guide450 has been selected and set. Additionally, the stability rails 458straddle the support arm 474 to prevent undesired twisting or torsion ofthe needle guide 450 during use.

Should it be desired to change the needle insertion angle defined by theneedle channel 454, the hook 462 can be manually moved to engage anotherof the bars 482 of the probe receiver array 480. This in turn alters theneedle insertion angle and the depth to which the needle will beinserted into the patient body by the clinician. Generally, in thepresent embodiment movement of the hook 462 to more proximal bars 482lessens the needle insertion angle, which in turn enables the needle topenetrate to a relatively deeper target area in the patient body. Ofcourse, the needle guide system can be configured such that a differentrelationship exists between movement of the needle guide components andthe needle insertion angle. Indeed, in one embodiment the adjustableengagement feature can be included on the needle guide itself instead ofon the probe, as is the case with the embodiment described here.

FIGS. 9A-9E depict a variation of the needle guide 450, wherein the freeend 460A of the flexible extension 460 serves as a first engagementfeature of the needle guide in contrast to the hook of the previousembodiment, and wherein a receiver array 580 on the probe 18 includes asecond engagement feature implemented as a plurality of slots 582instead of the bars of the previous embodiment. Further, the needleguide 450 shown in FIGS. 9A-9E is designed for use with a probeconnector that includes no support arm, such as the support arm 474shown in FIGS. 7A-8F. Instead, the flexible extension 460 in the presentembodiment is configured so as to be more rigid, relative to theflexible extension of the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 7A-8F, thusenabling it to bend to engage the receiver array 580 while maintainingthe needle guide base 452 at a desired position.

In greater detail, FIGS. 10A-10F show the manner of engagement of theneedle guide 450 with the probe 18, according to the first and secondengagement features just described above in connection with FIGS. 9A-9E.Note that in FIGS. 10A-10F, the probe connector for attachment of theneedle guide has been removed for clarity. In particular, FIG. 10A showsthe flexible extension 460 positioned such that the free end 460Athereof is received into the distal-most slot 582 of the probe receiverarray 580. This causes the needle guide base 452 and the needle channel454 disposed thereon to be positioned such that the needle channeldefines a relatively large needle insertion angle 0 with respect to theprobe longitudinal axis 380, which corresponds to inserting a needle ina relatively superficial target area of the patient body locatedproximate the skin surface thereof.

FIGS. 10B-10F show that as the flexible extension free end 460A of theneedle guide 450 is inserted into progressively more proximal slots 582of the probe receiver array 580, the needle insertion angle θ isreduced, which corresponds to directing the needle to progressivelydeeper target areas of the patient body. As such, the slots 582 andneedle guide 450 can be configured so as to position the needle channel454 to define predetermined needle insertion angles. In one embodiment,for example, the needle guide system as described in connection withFIGS. 9A-10F can define needle insertion angles ranging from about threedegrees to about 43 degrees, though it is appreciated that a variety ofpossible angles can be achieved. It is noted that the first and secondengagement features of the needle guide and probe that are used tointerconnect the two can vary from what is described herein, asappreciated by one skilled in the art.

FIGS. 11A-11D depict one possible connector 670 for the probe headportion 18A for engaging a needle guide, according to one embodiment. Inparticular, the connector 670 includes two outer fins 672 in betweenwhich an inner fin 674 is positioned. As best seen in FIG. 11D, a recess676 is included on the inner fin 674, and the outer fins 672, the innerfin 674, or all the fins include a resilient material so as to enabledeformation thereof so as to facilitate insertion into the recess of aconnector portion of the needle guide, such as the connector 456 of theneedle guide 450 described in the embodiment associated with FIGS.7A-8F, for example. In one embodiment, only the inner fin is resilient,while the outer fins are substantially rigid. It should therefore beappreciated that the manner of attachment between the needle guide andthe probe can include any one of a number of possible designs. Also, itis appreciated that the needle channel can be defined in any one of anumber of ways, in addition to the lips explicitly shown and describedherein.

FIGS. 12 and 13 depict yet other needle guide embodiments. In FIG. 12, alinear needle guide 750 is shown, including a top surface 752 on whichare disposed a plurality of needle channels 354 that are each aligned todefine differing needle insertion angles. A particular needle channelcan be selected for use by laterally sliding the needle guide 750 asshown in FIG. 12. In FIG. 13, a semi-circular needle guide 850 is shown,including a top surface 852 on which a plurality of needle channels 354are disposed in a fan pattern, each needle channel defining a differentneedle insertion angle. Finger grips 855 can be included on the body ofthe needle guide 850 to assist with movement of thereof to position adesired needle channel for use. These embodiments are thereforeillustrative of the many different needle guide configurations possible.

Embodiments of the invention may be embodied in other specific formswithout departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Thedescribed embodiments are to be considered in all respects only asillustrative, not restrictive. The scope of the embodiments is,therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription. All changes that come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. An adjustable needle guide, comprising: a needleguide body movably mountable to a sonography device probe; and aplurality of needle channels disposed on a surface of the needle guidebody, wherein the needle guide body is movable laterally across asurface of the probe such that a selected one of the plurality of needlechannels can be moved into position to guide a needle at a predeterminedneedle insertion angle; and wherein the needle channels are alignedlinearly and laterally on the needle guide and the needle guide islaterally slid to move a desired one of the needle channels into aposition for use.
 2. The adjustable needle guide as defined in claim 1,wherein each needle channel defines a unique needle insertion angle withrespect to a longitudinal axis of the probe.
 3. The adjustable needleguide as defined in claim 1, wherein the needle guide is removablyattachable to the surface of the probe.
 4. The adjustable needle guideas defined in claim 1, wherein the needle guide body has a top surfacefacing away from the probe and a bottom surface facing toward the probe,the bottom surface of the needle guide including a first interferencefeature for engagement with a second interference feature on the probeto prevent movement of the needle guide until a sufficient force isapplied to overcome the engagement.
 5. The adjustable needle guide asdefined in claim 1, wherein the needle guide body has a top surfacefacing away from the probe and a bottom surface facing toward the probe,and wherein each needle channel is defined at least in part by a pair oflips extending from the top surface of the needle guide body.
 6. Theadjustable needle guide as defined in claim 1, wherein the needlechannels are aligned such that the needle channels appear to be paralleland spaced apart a fixed distance when viewing a top surface of theneedle guide body, the top surface facing away from the probe.
 7. Anmedical device guide, comprising: a guide body mountable to a sonographydevice probe such that the guide body has a top surface facing away fromthe probe and a bottom surface facing toward the probe; and a pluralityof channels disposed on the top surface of the guide body, wherein theguide body is movable such that a selected one of the plurality ofchannels can be moved into position to guide a medical device at apredetermined insertion angle; and wherein the plurality of channels arealigned linearly and laterally on the to surface of the guide body andthe medical device guide is laterally slidable across a surface of theprobe to move a desired one of the plurality of channels into a positionfor use.
 8. The medical device guide as defined in claim 7, wherein eachchannel lies in a unique plane of the top surface of the guide body, andeach unique plane of the top surface of the guide body forms a differentangle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the probe, each angle ofthe planes of the top surface of the guide body corresponding to aunique insertion angle of a channel with respect to a longitudinal axisof the probe.
 9. The medical device guide as defined in claim 7, whereineach channel is defined at least in part by a pair of lips extendingfrom the top surface of the guide body.
 10. The medical device guide asdefined in claim 7, wherein the bottom surface of the guide body remainsa fixed distance above a plane of a surface of the probe.
 11. Themedical device guide as defined in claim 7, wherein the plurality ofchannels are configured to guide a needle.